Okay, so, I got this idea to send up a weather balloon. You know, those big balloons that go way up high to check out what’s going on with the weather? I’m no expert, just thought it would be a cool project to try out.
Getting Started
First thing I did was hit up the internet to figure out what I needed. Turns out, most of the stuff you can get for relatively cheap or might already have lying around. I made a list: a weather balloon, of course, a camera (just a regular point-and-shoot one that can take pictures continuously), some strong string (like kite string or fishing line), a reel for the string, rubber bands, a plastic bottle, zip ties, and tape. Sounds simple enough, right?
Gathering the Supplies
I started by looking for the weather balloon. I found a place called Kaymont Weather Balloon. They seem pretty legit, selling all sorts of sizes. I picked one that seemed like it would do the job. I wanted to see some good altitude. I also grabbed the camera and the string. The rest of the stuff, like the bottle and zip ties, I already had at home. It felt like I was a kid again, getting ready for a big adventure.
Putting It All Together
Next, I had to figure out how to put this all together. I used the plastic bottle as a sort of container for the camera. I cut it up a bit and secured the camera inside with rubber bands and tape. Then, I tied the string to the bottle and the balloon. I made sure everything was tied really tight. I used zip ties to secure some parts, just to be extra safe. I was basically MacGyvering this thing together. It looked a bit rough, but I was pretty proud of my handiwork.
The Launch
The day I decided to launch, I was super excited. I filled the balloon with helium – had to get a tank from a party supply store. I’m not gonna lie, filling that big balloon was a bit of a challenge, but I managed. Once it was full, I attached the camera rig, checked all the knots one last time, and let it go. Watching it float up into the sky was an amazing feeling. I kept my eye on it as long as I could, using the reel to let out the string.
The Aftermath
Of course, I knew the balloon would eventually come down. According to what I’d read, these things can go up to 131,000 feet! But my string wasn’t nearly that long. Still, it was up there for a good while. When it finally came down, it took me a while to find it, but I did. The camera was still intact, and I was stoked to see what it captured. The pictures were pretty amazing – seeing the curve of the Earth and everything. It was definitely worth all the effort.
So, that’s my weather balloon story. It was a fun and slightly crazy project. I learned a lot, had a blast, and got some cool pictures out of it. If you’re thinking about doing something like this, I’d say go for it. Just make sure you do your research, get the right supplies, and be prepared for a bit of an adventure.
- What I used:
- Weather balloon from Kaymont
- Point-and-shoot camera
- Strong string and reel
- Plastic bottle, rubber bands, zip ties, tape
It was a good time, and I’d definitely do it again. Maybe next time I’ll try to get it even higher!